Underground AI cybercrime tools surge in 2026

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism. Artificial intelligence is making cybercrime tools more accessible, enabling less-skilled attackers to engage in phishing, identity fraud, and malware development. AI is enhancing the capabilities of cybercriminals, allowing them to conduct sophisticated attacks. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors . MANILA, Philippines – Artificial intelligence is making cybercrime tools cheaper, easier to use, and more widely available, helping less-skilled attackers carry out phishing, identity fraud, and malware development at greater scale, according to research from the US-based Halcyon Ransomware Research Center.